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View Full Version : The "where you should buy stuff" thread



WickerBill
11-29-13, 12:18 PM
Do you have a "secret" website you like to get certain items from, where you get a great deal, or better-than-normal service, or both? Help out OC...


Alkaline batteries: Monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/Search?keyword=alkaline+battery). 90-95% of the juice of a Duracell -- 50-80% cheaper.

Earbud headphones: Monoprice (http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=1082303&p_id=9396&seq=1&format=2). Seriously, $7 earphones that sound like $40-$50 pairs, except they last longer.

Photo and video equipment: B&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/). They have good prices, but not always the best. But the customer service cannot be topped. You will never have to worry about getting the run-around with these guys.


P.S. I swear I've participated in a thread like this before, but I can't find it here... so...

SteveH
11-29-13, 12:57 PM
Monoprice is pretty much incredible for any electronic item. Have used B&H several times, never once had a complaint.

My son has Amazon Prime and he registered me under his account. Consequently Amazon has become my first place to check.

:edit:
While I've not purchased anything from Slickdeals (http://slickdeals.net/), I do check it from time to time.

nrc
11-29-13, 03:02 PM
I'm assuming that this is "besides Amazon" which is where I check for most things first. Amazon Prime is awesome for getting large, bulky objects shipped for nothing. Monoprice looks like a good tip. Amazon is a little disorganized for things like cables and connectors. Still, shipping costs can be a killer for those low priced items.

For computer gear and pieces parts I always check Newegg (http://newegg.com). I've never had to deal with them on a return or anything like that but pricing is good, and orders have always been filled promptly.

G.
11-30-13, 03:02 AM
Not impressed with newegg. I don't go there much, but they never seem the have anything I'm looking for. I'll try harder.

Monoprice rules. Their cables seem to be pretty damn good. Get any flavor of HDMI you could want for a billion times less than Best Buy. For the A/V setup I'm still working on (still need the speakers), I bought a boatload of CAT6 and HDMI cables in various colors and lengths. Toss in a few patch-cords, connectors, various sundries, and I am flush with connectivity.

I am a bit of a fan of tigerdirect, but mostly since I can go the the B&M store and handle what I'm looking for.

Lurking with interest on this thread. My first stop is usually Amazon, but I'm finding that there are lots of sites that offer the same stuff cheaper, just not all in one place.

Napoleon
11-30-13, 06:04 AM
Do you have a "secret" website you like to get certain items from. . .

Several people mention B&H including you. Does it properly qualify for me if the first time I ordered something off them was something like 35 years ago, long before the web?

WickerBill
11-30-13, 07:40 AM
Several people mention B&H including you. Does it properly qualify for me if the first time I ordered something off them was something like 35 years ago, long before the web?

Yes. And I believe you have hit upon why they're so good at customer service.

WickerBill
10-03-14, 10:44 AM
iPhone 6 cases: http://www.monoprice.com/Search/Index?keyword=iphone+6

(btw, Monoprice now sells via Amazon, so you can find a lot of their items directly at Amazon, and every once in a while, with free shipping)


Shoes (well lots of things, but especially shoes): http://www.zappos.com/ - astounding customer service and return policy, good prices

G.
10-03-14, 01:15 PM
Speakers: Limited offerings, mostly set up for builders, but I bought a sub and a soundbar/sub combo from parts-express.com (http://www.parts-express.com).

I've also been buying crap I don't need from meh.com (woot redux)

WickerBill
10-03-14, 02:04 PM
I've also been buying crap I don't need from meh.com (woot redux)

I bought 80 AA batteries from them last week. I don't know why. I use rechargeables.

G.
10-03-14, 03:04 PM
I bought 80 AA batteries from them last week. I don't know why. I use rechargeables.

Then do NOT sign up for their VMP program ($5/month, then free shipping). There's all sorts of useless stuff you can buy when shipping's "free". :) (If you buy stuff from them, I DO recommend the VMP, but shipping anything from them is $5. Even 2-packs of TV's.)

Speaking of rechargeables, the Menard's in-house brand (North Something) makes really great AAA re-chargeables. They charge up to about 1000 mAh. The AA are fairly standard regarding the capacity (around 2000-2500 mAh). They are both cheap.

TKGAngel
10-03-14, 03:50 PM
Shoes (well lots of things, but especially shoes): http://www.zappos.com/ - astounding customer service and return policy, good prices

Just clear your cookies after you visit Zappos, or the shoes and things will follow you around the internet. They are very, very good at re-marketing.

dando
10-06-14, 08:37 PM
Most of the likely suspects have been mentioned, but usually only use them when techbargains lists a deal for them. When I was building the man cave, Blue Jeans Cables was a good source for quality and well-priced AV cables.

G.
10-07-14, 12:22 AM
meh.com does the 2-for-Tuesday thing. They realize that it's cheesy, so that makes it cool, right?

For the next 23 hours or so, you can get 2 Roomba 560's for $300. And no, you can't get one for $150. They are refurbs.

I wish I didn't like keeping my money so much. :\

TravelGal
10-07-14, 12:54 AM
To change the subject a little...if you're having a big party and need decorations or favors, I recommend www.partycheap.com We had 105 people RSVP for my mother's 100th birthday party earlier this year. I needed LOTS of stuff. Party Cheap was great. Everything was less than Amazon or any other place I could find on the net. They had a greater variety than most websites. The shipped immediately and all the stuff looked great when it arrived.

gjc2
10-07-14, 06:36 AM
I recently needed ink for my HP printer and a replacement battery for my Ryobi drill. In both cases I bought the items from the manufactures website.

In the case of the drill battery the price was lower than anywhere else I checked. As for the ink cartridges, the HP web site showed all the choices I had: two pack, high yield, etc. The prices were good, but may not have been the “last dollar”. I’ve tried aftermarket and refilled ink cartridges, the OE are worth a couple of bucks more.

WickerBill
10-07-14, 06:54 AM
You don't just throw out your printer when you need ink and get a new one? You must be RICH. :D

(HP DeskJet 1010: $29. Ink for HP DeskJet 1010: $36)

gjc2
10-07-14, 07:01 AM
I buy a particular treat for my dog at chewy.com. Their price is much lower than the large pet supply stores. They ship fast and offer free shipping for orders over $50.

I’m now looking for a source for “Heartgard Plus” and “Frontline Plus” Chewy only carries one of them, I’d like one source for both (it will be easier to hit a free shipping threshold).

I get a lot of stuff from eBay sellers. I recently bought some patio furniture, a pair of Sennheiser headphones and a pair of Steiner binoculars.
I've also found some stuff for clients: a set of new Acura running boards for less than aftermarket, much less than from a local dealer.

I also got a lava lamp.

gjc2
10-07-14, 07:28 AM
You don't just throw out your printer when you need ink and get a new one? You must be RICH. :D

(HP DeskJet 1010: $29. Ink for HP DeskJet 1010: $36)

I guess HP can only offer those prices because of guys like me!

TravelGal
10-07-14, 01:07 PM
I've always bought my HP cartridges from Office Max. Prices may not be as good now that they and Office Depot are one.

If you want candy in bulk or whatever, I've used

SweetThangCandy.com p: (888) 501.7378 | e: info@sweetthangcandy.com www.facebook.com/SweetThangCandy, where they wrote me immediately after I asked a question

and Nationwide Candy, PO. Box 90153, Albuquerque, NM 87199 Tel : (888) 302-2639, where they had the Cracker Jack I was looking for in quantities smaller than what a baseball stadium would order.

nrc
10-07-14, 04:40 PM
You don't just throw out your printer when you need ink and get a new one? You must be RICH. :D

(HP DeskJet 1010: $29. Ink for HP DeskJet 1010: $36)

Sounds like a business model. Better spin that thing off. :rolleyes:

gjc2
10-07-14, 06:30 PM
Sounds like a business model. Better spin that thing off. :rolleyes:

It's like a free house alarm if you pay for central station monitoring.

Elmo T
10-08-14, 09:07 AM
my Ryobi drill. .

In the case of the drill battery the price was lower than anywhere else I checked.

This kills me. I need new batteries for my set - drill, saw, etc. I've looked several places and have come to the conclusion I'd do better to upgrade the set versus buying the batteries I need.

gjc2
10-08-14, 03:28 PM
This kills me. I need new batteries for my set - drill, saw, etc. I've looked several places and have come to the conclusion I'd do better to upgrade the set versus buying the batteries I need.

The battery was only 10 or 15 bucks less than a new equivalent model.

chop456
10-08-14, 04:26 PM
Then do NOT sign up for their VMP program ($5/month, then free shipping). There's all sorts of useless stuff you can buy when shipping's "free". :) (If you buy stuff from them, I DO recommend the VMP, but shipping anything from them is $5. Even 2-packs of TV's.)

Speaking of rechargeables, the Menard's in-house brand (North Something) makes really great AAA re-chargeables. They charge up to about 1000 mAh. The AA are fairly standard regarding the capacity (around 2000-2500 mAh). They are both cheap.

Have you read this? http://www.milwaukeemag.com/article/242011-BigMoney

I wouldn't shop at Menard's if I were bitten by a Black Mamba and that was the only place that sold anti-venom. (11% off if it fits in this bag).

He's beyond despicable. (And that story predates the bribery/blackmail for sex claims).

TravelGal
10-08-14, 08:13 PM
This kills me. I need new batteries for my set - drill, saw, etc. I've looked several places and have come to the conclusion I'd do better to upgrade the set versus buying the batteries I need.

Same with the battery for my laptop. :p

SteveH
11-13-14, 10:48 PM
The story of woot.com eaten by Amazon.com becoming meh.com (http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2014/july/matt-rutledge-woot-has-a-new-deal-mediocre-corporation?single=1)

dando
11-14-14, 08:10 AM
A few links for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals...or not.

http://www.theblackfriday.com/

http://www.cybermonday2014.com/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/11/13/black-friday-deals-not-best/18865165/

dando
11-14-14, 08:38 AM
The story of woot.com eaten by Amazon.com becoming meh.com (http://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-magazine/2014/july/matt-rutledge-woot-has-a-new-deal-mediocre-corporation?single=1)

The Art of the Deal.

WickerBill
01-18-15, 04:49 PM
Any suggestions for brand or type or where to buy windshield wipers?

cameraman
01-18-15, 05:34 PM
I just bought some Rain-X Latitude wipers and I have to say that they work really well and were exceptional simple to install.

dando
01-18-15, 07:38 PM
I'll second Rain X. Getting ready to replace mine as well. Just pick 'em up at Wally Mart, Autozone, etc. Not rocket science here...

WickerBill
01-18-15, 09:11 PM
Was just hoping for a dollar shave club-like wiper blade store :)

SteveH
01-18-15, 10:00 PM
My son just told me about this site to track prices on Amazon.
http://camelcamelcamel.com

G.
01-19-15, 02:02 PM
Any suggestions for brand or type or where to buy windshield wipers?

I've been buying Bosch (based on a recommendation here, I believe), but they seemed to have lost the formula.

First replacement or two were really good. Now they are just "ok" for about a year, then replace.

Am I expecting too much to have blades last longer than a year?

TravelGal
01-20-15, 11:12 PM
Am I expecting too much to have blades last longer than a year?

According to the blade manufacturers, you are. said in best yoda voice.

TravelGal
01-20-15, 11:13 PM
My son just told me about this site to track prices on Amazon.
http://camelcamelcamel.com

That's nice but if you put stuff in your basket or whatever it's called, Amazon does the same thing. Of course you have to LOOK instead of being notified.

SteveH
01-24-15, 02:17 PM
Amazon Prime on sale - today only

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prime/pipeline/prime_gifting_landing?ie=UTF8&ref=Transparentprime&tag=jalopnikamzn-20&ascsubtag=

SteveH
02-10-15, 10:54 PM
Wootlike
http://www.thatdailydeal.com

Napoleon
03-24-15, 02:48 PM
Have you read this? http://www.milwaukeemag.com/article/242011-BigMoney

I wouldn't shop at Menard's if I were bitten by a Black Mamba and that was the only place that sold anti-venom. (11% off if it fits in this bag).

He's beyond despicable. (And that story predates the bribery/blackmail for sex claims).

Yahoo News dropped another bombshell regarding Menard and your governor yesterday.

cameraman
03-24-15, 04:14 PM
Yahoo News dropped another bombshell regarding Menard and your governor yesterday.

Not at all surprising as bombshells come and go.

G.
05-26-15, 12:57 PM
Anyone have a recommendation for a good, solid everyday dress shoe?

I guess it's time to quit wearing only sneakers and hikers. I'm too old for sneakers, yet still too young for the return of sneakers. ;)

Any casual "dress" shoes that I have purchased recently, I picked out for comfort. They are crap, and fall apart easily.

I need something that will last at least through a couple of coats of polish.



What say you?
Thanks!

Dvdb
05-26-15, 02:33 PM
I have a pair of Bass weejuns that I have worn for years. I think they originally were about $80, and a few years ago paid another $80 to get them resoled.

If you want an expensive pair that will last the rest of your life, look at Allen Edmonds. Comfortable as hell, and you can send them back for repairs and resoling. I think I have owned my pair for 25 years.

KLang
05-26-15, 03:36 PM
Another :thumbup: for Allen Edmonds. They have expanded their selection in recent years too.

SteveH
07-20-15, 11:13 AM
Frenzy Around Shopping Site Jet.com Harks Back to Dot-Com Boom (http://www.wsj.com/articles/frenzy-around-shopping-site-jet-com-harks-back-to-dot-com-boom-1437359430)


Online marketplace Jet.com Inc. has almost no revenue, years of likely losses in its future and a strategy that includes underpricing mighty Amazon.com Inc. on millions of items. Jet also has perhaps the highest valuation ever among e-commerce startups before their official launch.

Wish I had a subscription so I could read the entire article.

https://jet.com/

Insomniac
07-21-15, 03:23 PM
Frenzy Around Shopping Site Jet.com Harks Back to Dot-Com Boom (http://www.wsj.com/articles/frenzy-around-shopping-site-jet-com-harks-back-to-dot-com-boom-1437359430)



Wish I had a subscription so I could read the entire article.

https://jet.com/

Sometimes searching the article title's name at Google News (http://news.google.com/) will let you read the whole article if you click through there.

WickerBill
09-25-15, 02:48 PM
Tangentially related to this topic, Amazon Prime is $67, today only (from $99 regularly).

dando
09-26-15, 01:33 PM
Tangentially related to this topic, Amazon Prime is $67, today only (from $99 regularly).

Fuss bucket! I needed a linky. I canceled mine a few mos. ago. :irked: Hope you are feeling better. :)

dando
09-26-15, 03:55 PM
Yes or no?

http://www.woot.com/offers/lenovo-thinkpad-x130e-11-6-dual-core-laptop-1?ref=cnt_dly_wobtn

Insomniac
09-27-15, 04:51 PM
Yes or no?

http://www.woot.com/offers/lenovo-thinkpad-x130e-11-6-dual-core-laptop-1?ref=cnt_dly_wobtn

It's sold out now. I usually tell everyone who asks me to either ask me which one should I buy from a list or to set a budget, determine what you want roughly (screen size, weight, OS, etc.) and spend your entire budget. What I'd buy and what other people would buy are rarely the same.

SteveH
11-30-15, 10:40 AM
MXo_d6tNWuY

nrc
12-06-15, 08:05 PM
Any thoughts on color laser printers? I'm looking for good text print quality and reasonable graphics. We have an inkjet for photos. This is more for documents. Reliability and operating cost are key.

Insomniac
12-07-15, 10:56 AM
Any thoughts on color laser printers? I'm looking for good text print quality and reasonable graphics. We have an inkjet for photos. This is more for documents. Reliability and operating cost are key.

Anecdotal, but I've had a Brother color laser for a few years and it still works well. I got it for less than $200 for a refurbished model.

SteveH
12-07-15, 11:15 AM
I have a Canon MF 8280 series color laser printer. I only print low volume so operating costs weren't considered. Was more interested in features, the model has a sheet feeder for scanning and supports wireless printing from iOS devices. Which I didn't know how big of a deal that was until I got it. I'm sure I have printed more wirelessly than from the PC it is connected to. Downside is that it is noisy but it is in the basement so that's no big deal for me.

nrc
12-07-15, 08:07 PM
Anecdotal, but I've had a Brother color laser for a few years and it still works well. I got it for less than $200 for a refurbished model.

Anecdotal is good. I like anecdotes.

dando
12-08-15, 02:09 AM
Haven't done color laser, but I had an HP laserjet that lasted 20 years. It was still going strong when I finally cut the cord and switched to a Canon all-in-one with Wifi. Works great and Android even has a plugin/app to print from my phone. :thumbup:

nrc
12-09-15, 10:40 AM
We have a 20 year old HP laser that would probably be good for another 20, Unfortunately they've seen fit to stop updating drivers for it so it doesn't play well with Windows any more. I'm leaning away from HP because I fear a repeat of their inkjet supply racket with toner cartridges. I doubt that the bulletproof construction of the old one is relevant to anything HP is doing on the consumer side these days anyway.

Elmo T
12-09-15, 10:54 AM
I'm leaning away from HP because I fear a repeat of their inkjet supply racket with toner cartridges.

One decent Staples coupon, and it is cheaper to buy a new printer. :rolleyes::saywhat:

Insomniac
12-18-15, 01:38 PM
One decent Staples coupon, and it is cheaper to buy a new printer. :rolleyes::saywhat:

But who wants to keep setting up new printers? :)

nrc
06-10-16, 02:28 PM
I'm adding an iRobot Braava 380t to the robot stable. A lot of iRobot fans recommend Hammacher Schlemmer (http://www.hammacher.com). They typically sell at list price but include a lifetime replacement warranty.

Insomniac
07-28-16, 06:28 PM
I have a power wheelchair that has an actuator+motor that has gone bad. It's going to cost me $1300 to replace courtesy of my high deductible health plan. Before, I found the manufacturer off of a label on it and then sent it to repair (way cheaper). However, this is all built in Europe and this actuator manufacturer will not deal with consumers directly. Is there some type of shop that may be able to repair it? Will they be able to diagnose what's wrong and repair it? eBay was a no go, they don't have any parts that match, other actuators, but not this one. (On an aside, it's always sad to search eBay for medical device stuff. My insurance paid ~$50k for the power chair, used to barely used on eBay it's $6-10k.) So anyways, what should I be looking for in the yellow pages before I break out my credit card? Thanks!

dando
07-28-16, 06:46 PM
I have a power wheelchair that has an actuator+motor that has gone bad. It's going to cost me $1300 to replace courtesy of my high deductible health plan. Before, I found the manufacturer off of a label on it and then sent it to repair (way cheaper). However, this is all built in Europe and this actuator manufacturer will not deal with consumers directly. Is there some type of shop that may be able to repair it? Will they be able to diagnose what's wrong and repair it? eBay was a no go, they don't have any parts that match, other actuators, but not this one. (On an aside, it's always sad to search eBay for medical device stuff. My insurance paid ~$50k for the power chair, used to barely used on eBay it's $6-10k.) So anyways, what should I be looking for in the yellow pages before I break out my credit card? Thanks!

Fix it. Warranty?

nrc
07-29-16, 11:00 AM
Have you tried a Google search for "[brand name] chair repair" or "[model] chair repair"? Seems likely that someone else has encountered the same issue and maybe there's a forum or something out there where it's been discussed.

Insomniac
07-29-16, 11:02 AM
Fix it. Warranty?

Warranty is one year, up 3 years ago. :(

Insomniac
07-29-16, 11:23 AM
Have you tried a Google search for "[brand name] chair repair" or "[model] chair repair"? Seems likely that someone else has encountered the same issue and maybe there's a forum or something out there where it's been discussed.

I did try that. I saw some videos with the actual actuator, one was broken, another stuck. These are sold with both the actuator and motor. I'm almost certain the motor part is what broke because it was making some odd sounds before it just stopped.

dando
07-29-16, 02:46 PM
Warranty is one year, up 3 years ago. :(

Intended...get it fixed, but what's the warranty coverage after repair?

Insomniac
07-29-16, 05:54 PM
Intended...get it fixed, but what's the warranty coverage after repair?

The problem is the getting it fixed part. Warranty depends on who does it. I'd expect the manufacturer (and they have in the past, but this company is in Europe, REAC) provide 1 year after repair. I'd expect the current warranty is non-existent since it was likely an OEM sale to Permobil. If I could find a third party shop that could diagnose and repair, I'd expect a 90 day warranty.